Technology news and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
Technology News and insights in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa
A turning point for Bangladesh’s telecom sector may be near. Grameenphone CEO Yasir Azman says regulatory reform, dispute resolution, and fair taxation can restore investor confidence. With fibre, 5G, and digital services at stake, 2026 could reset the industry’s trajectory and unlock national digital growth.
Dialog Axiata’s partnership with UnionPay International strengthens Sri Lanka’s push toward cashless payments by expanding fintech capabilities, merchant acceptance, and access to global payment networks. The collaboration supports e-commerce, MSMEs, and digital inclusion while aligning the country with regional fintech transformation trends.
Pakistan offers some of the world’s lowest mobile data prices, with $0.12 per GB and a $1.02 2GB broadband basket. However, low ARPU, high inflation, currency depreciation, and rising costs are straining operator sustainability despite regulatory oversight.
A government white paper has revealed 15 years of corruption, regulatory failures, and policy bottlenecks in Bangladesh’s telecom sector. The report calls for institutional reform, tax restructuring, and regulatory modernization to improve service quality, investment, and digital inclusion.
Cerillion has secured a £42.5 million, five-year BSS/OSS contract with Omantel, its largest deal to date. The platform will support mobile, fixed, and broadband services, reinforcing Omantel’s digital transformation agenda aligned with Oman Vision 2040.
A new national 450 MHz industrial network from Aramco Digital will provide secure, reliable connectivity for mission-critical operations across Saudi Arabia. Supporting advanced IIoT applications and rugged smart devices, the network is set to strengthen automation, efficiency, and industrial growth aligned with Vision 2030.
Ncell has proposed an IPO and higher Nepalese ownership as part of efforts to secure licence renewal beyond 2029. The operator is seeking regulatory certainty to invest in 5G and fibre, urging equal treatment with Nepal Telecom and a mutually beneficial resolution with the government.
Summit Group plans to enter Bangladesh’s data centre market by leveraging its gas-based power assets and nationwide fibre network. The group aims to deliver capacity within 18 months, despite sustainability concerns and political risks, as rising data demand and new data protection rules drive local infrastructure growth.
Robi Axiata has pulled out of Bangladesh’s 700 MHz spectrum auction after a strategic review, citing timing and network priorities. The move leaves Grameenphone as the only bidder, prompting the regulator to revise auction rules to limit spectrum concentration and maintain competition.
e& UAE has published a new white paper outlining how integrated sensing and communication will shape 6G networks. The report positions ISAC as a core 6G feature, enabling real-time environmental sensing, new industry use cases, and monetisation models, while reinforcing the UAE’s ambition to lead global 6G innovation.